The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1887-05-06
UNITARIAN

Spring time; what magic III the words.
We almost see the rootlets grow, and hear
their musical whisperings The farmer
clears his ground, prepares il better for
last years experience, expecting for this
extra care a greater harvest. lie knows
that he win reap according to what he
sows, and selects the choicest seeds for the
new crops.
The orchards and vineyards have been
prnned, and, by ENGRAVING, varieties have
been added, and flavors enriched. For
every act in improving nature, man has
added two-fold to his own growth.
Even as in the field and vineyard, so in
the human race. knowledge, used, brings
increase of power for both mind and body.
1t is to bring within the reach of the
many, facts simple, profound, from which
may come benefit for mankind, that this de-
partment of the magazine is opened All
subjects relating to hygiene and sanitary
matters viii be treated Of with such plain
ness that child may understand Espe-
cially will it be a department for women;
to teach them some of the laws of health,
some of the grand, simple truths by which
they shall be able to become more to them
selves. and more to those for whom they
live,
We shall give especial attention to the
care of children, both as infants and while
growing into youth. We shall study how
to make our homes healthful through
proper drainage and ventilation. w shall
look at causes for the alleged early decay
Of American beauty, and see in what ways
it can be arrested-what means shall help
to keep the complexion clear, the eye
bright, and the check round-and find
such simple aids to preserving health as
may be within the reach of most persons.
1t is mistaken idea that woman cam
not dress chalmingly and be comfortable.
We shall try TO show how this may be
done. 1t is done by many women all oyer
the land. whose appearance is not notice
ably different from their less comfortable
and no more beautifully attired sisters.
A'ha'N''. ~ - tiit VI
est fashion, that certain articles of health
ful wearing apparel have been most warm
ly received.
The first step in order is to give to these
subjects thought.
How few people of means and leisure
give themselves, at stated intervals, an
hour for thought. If persons who can dis
pose of their time as they choose, fail of
their greatest attainment from this cause,
what shall be expected from those women
who work and drudge from morning unit !
night and then, exhausted in soul and
body, find only in the forgetfulness of
sleep the necessary rest for a renewal of
this toll?
In order to think our best thought, we
need to be physically sound How few
women at fifty years of age, when they
should be in their prime, are really well.
How few have attained what was possible
for them, had they possessed knowledge
of themselves and of their powers, Alas.
how few have their powers trained and
disciplined into a state of readiness for the
every day affairs of life, II the education
is begun in childhood, an enormous
amount of valuable time and strength may
be saved.
Men, as a rule, continue to grow, intel
lectually, all their lives; their contact with
the world tending toward this, if there is
no endeavor on their part; but unless
women are on the alert, and improve the
short intervals allowed to them by the
duties that most have to keep them busy,
they will settle into commonplace and
humdrum.
Should country girls read these lines, let
me tell them that if the girls of fifty yeaIs
ago could have ayailed themselves of the
helps to knowledge which this age affords,
they would have eagerly devoured what
now is too often thrown aside for the sem
sational novel.
I knew farmers daughter, bright and
rollicking, yet eager to learn, who, at the
tween four and five o'clock, in summer
time, drink glass of milk, go to the past
ure ana saddle her own horse, and ride
five miles away to the post-ofiiee and back
by half past six. She took book with
her for the uphill part of the way. On her
return, she would have her breakfast, wash
the dishes, and get to the district school,
half a mile away, by nine o'clock. Hungry
for ideas, she found little time for play;
girls in those days were not bills of expense
TO their parents, but were taught to spin
and bake and sew; to take care of children
and relieve the oyerburdened mothers. Far
and near, to-day also. there are daughters
who fill places of trust in their parents
home; but what difference in the aids
which these girls have TO education and
wisdom,
We hope to bring some of these helpful
thoughts and suggestions to maidens,
whether of city or country, whether busy
workers. or lilies who spin not.
The education of girls is great ques-
ton. That there is, ia legislative halls,
none to it exceed in magnitude. will be seen
il we consider the fact which George Eliot
puts into words in Daniel DeroRda, where,
from speaking of Gwendolen Ifarieth, she
turns as if to explain why she gives such
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